Eragon

Title: Eragon
Author: Christopher Paolini
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 0375826688

Recommended for Grades 9-12
Genre: Fiction-Fantasy

Reader’s Annotation:
Riding through the wood, young Eragon discovers a beautiful smooth rock. Eragon soon discovers this is no rock, but a dragon egg. Eragon is about to become the last dragon rider.

Plot Summary:
Eragon was just an ordinary orphan who was living with his uncle and cousin. When hunting in the woods one day he discovers a beautiful blue rock. After taking it home Eragon realizes that it is not a rock, but an egg, and it hatches into dragon. Eragon and the dragon bond and he finds he can communicate psychically with her. He names her Saphira. When soldiers come to his village looking for the dragon egg, they kill Eragon’s uncle. Eragon flees with the local storyteller Brom. Through Brom, Eragon learns that he is the last Dragon Rider, warriors who are bonded with dragons. Evil King Galbatorix wiped out the dragon riders and now tyrannically rules over the land. Eragon and Saphira join the rebellion and set out to defeat King Galbatorix and bring peace to the land.

Evaluation:
Having written the book when he was only 19, Paolini serves as a role model for teens who are interested in writing. At 25 he has already released 3 bestselling novels.

Notes:
There are 2 other books in the Inheritance Cycle with a fourth book in the works.
Eldest
Brisingr

20th Century Fox released a film adaptation of Eragon in 2005.